What is a Circulogian?

As near as I can tell, this is a word I coined myself. A search of the web and several dictionaries showed no instances of its use, and so I hereby lay claim to it as my intellectual property. (If you think otherwise you'll have to try to beat me to the trademark registration office...)

The word --which despite its novelty meets all the qualifications of any other word, save for being obscure-- derives from combining 'circle' and 'logic.' The suffix indicates a practitioner thereof.

'Circle' itself derives from Greek kírkos, meaning 'ring' or 'circle,' and 'Logic' which derives from the Greek logikós, meaning 'of speech or reason'. The word 'circus' also derives from kírkos, and some ways serves well to explain The Circulogian. It is defined as follows: (I'm allowed to do that by the way, as I made it up!)

cir·cu·lo·gi·an (sûr'kyə-lō'jən)
(n)
1. A person who employs circular logic.
2. A person who observes and comments on circular logic.
3. A place where circular logic is discussed, as in The Circulogian.
(adj)
1. Describes a quality of speech or reason, as in 'a circulogian approach.'

Circular logic contains both positive and negative connotations, each of which is equally appropriate. On one hand it is my belief that all things are related to one another to greater or lesser degree. Parallels can be draw between concepts and demonstrate their circularity. (Never mind that there's no geometric connection between circles and parallels. We're talking about language here, and there is a definition of parallel that applies despite the obvious disparity.) So that aspect of circulogianism would be good, in my opinion. It is no small feat however to communicate all the circularity of related subjects. It might take pages and pages of writing to reach the goal, so it is fair to consider being circulogian to be a necessarily arduous task.

On the other hand, many people use circularity to explain things the scope of which they have not fully considered. They don't see all the parallels necessary to their point, (there I go with geometry again...) and subsequently argue themselves into a corner (and once more!). This approach could be said to be a less-desirable way of being circulogian, and in my opinion is best when avoided. (That doesn't mean that the circulogians on staff here won't. it just means we shouldn't.) This is the word in its earliest instance, but further circular consideration brought the other usages and nuances to light.

It can then be seen that circulogian is by definition itself circulogian. But if so, it is not the only word of its kind. A dictionary entry for 'redundant' for example could simply state 'see: redundant.' (A more perfect example of circulogianism will probably not be found). But life, language and communication are not so simple.

The Circulogian is where such things are considered and shared with others, along with whatever else happens to cross our minds.

-Ed